..::Football III::..

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Hoffenheim 1-1 Borussia Dortmund: Draw dents BVB's Europa League hopes

Borussia Dortmund's hopes of Europa League qualification suffered another setback after they were held to a 1-1 draw by Hoffenheim.

Kevin Volland fired the home side into the lead after 33 minutes, but Mats Hummels hit back for the visitors just two minutes later.

A string of chances then went begging at either end as both sides sought to secure a victory that would have piled the pressure on Bundesliga rivals Schalke and Augsburg, who occupy the last two European places.

Dortmund headed into the game buoyed by consecutive league victories and their midweek DFB-Pokal semi-final win over Bayern Munich on penalties.

Jurgen Klopp's men were a touch unfortunate not to make it four on the bounce as they had the hosts on the ropes in the latter stages.

Hoffenheim fired an early warning after four minutes, with Dortmund goalkeeper Mitchell Langerak foiling Anthony Modeste as the home side's leading goalscorer burst into the box. And Markus Gisdol's men continued to look the more likely as the half wore on, eventually making their pressure count just after the half-hour mark.

Volland had already found his range with a stinging 25-yard drive that flashed narrowly wide and, when he was allowed far too much space in the box, the former 1860 Munich man duly rifled a low shot past the helpless Langerak.

Hoffenheim's lead, however, lasted only two minutes as Dortmund equalised with what was their first meaningful chance of the afternoon. Henrikh Mkhitaryan swung in a corner from the left and Hummels somehow got between three defenders to nod home his second goal of the season.

In a breathless finale to the first half, the action then switched back to the other end where the lively Modeste came very close to restoring his side's lead after capitalising on an error from Erik Durm.

And the half-time break did little to stifle the flow of chances, Volland again trying his luck from range in the very first minute and Dortmund immediately countering as a sliding Shinji Kagawa just failed to convert a teasing low cross from Mkhitaryan.

There was more end-to-end action to follow, with Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Modeste both failing to find the net when sent clean through and the Hoffenheim man going close yet again on the hour mark after a handling error from Langerak.

The young Australian goalkeeper made amends from the resulting corner, however, tipping a thumping Ermin Bicakcic header onto the bar.

Klopp’s men went on to finish the stronger, laying siege to the home goal for the final 15 minutes, but were ultimately unable to find the winner.

 

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Leicester City 3-0 Newcastle United: Ulloa double condemns Carver to eighth straight defeat

Leonardo Ulloa struck early in both halves to inspire Leicester City to a vital 3-0 victory over beleaguered Newcastle United on Saturday.

Ulloa opened the scoring after just 38 seconds at the King Power Stadium, and that set the tone for another fruitful afternoon for Nigel Pearson's side, who have now won five of their last six games to ensure their hopes of Premier League survival remain in their hands.

Captain Wes Morgan took advantage of more meek Newcastle defending to double Leicester's lead in the 17th minute, and Ulloa was on hand to convert a penalty shortly after the restart to seal a comprehensive win.

By contrast, Newcastle - whose misery was compounded as defenders Mike Williamson and Daryl Janmaat picked up red cards in the second half - were woeful once again.

John Carver's team have lost eight matches in a row and sit just a point above upwardly mobile Leicester - with the visiting supporters making their feelings towards owner Mike Ashley known throughout.

Leicester made the perfect start when Ulloa nodded them ahead in the first minute, the Argentinian brushing off the attentions of Moussa Sissoko to glance Marc Albrighton's corner beyond Tim Krul.

Newcastle responded well, with Ayoze Perez dragging a shot wide of the far post, but another excellent Albrighton set-piece - coupled with shocking marking - proved their undoing 17 minutes in.

Albrighton swung in a dangerous free-kick from the left and Morgan was on hand to toe-poke past the helpless Krul from six yards after Ulloa just failed to make contact.

That goal sparked a prolonged spell of anti-Ashley chanting from the away end, and any hope they may have had of an unlikely second-half comeback evaporated just three minutes after the interval.

Emmanuel Riviere inexplicably barged Marcin Wasilewski in the back in the area from a corner, and Ulloa stepped up to coolly fire his penalty high past Krul and end the game as a contest.

Leicester were brimming with confidence and Albrighton shot wide before Ulloa spurned a chance to get his hat-trick when Krul made a brilliant point-blank stop from his header.

Newcastle's day went from bad to worse soon after when Williamson let his frustration get the better of him, needlessly scything Vardy down to earn a second booking.

Carver's men were going through the motions - typified by Janmaat's late dismissal - and could count themselves fortunate that Leicester were not more clinical in front of goal as Albrighton and Jeffrey Schlupp caused havoc down the flanks.

The scoreline, at least, remained relatively respectable but the same cannot be said for Newcastle's attitude and they are now undeniably involved in a relegation dogfight.

 

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Mourinho: I'll only take five minutes to savour title glory

Jose Mourinho says he will only take five minutes to celebrate before turning his thoughts to next season if Chelsea seal the Premier League title on Sunday.

Victory over Crystal Palace would be enough to guarantee their first league championship since 2010, but the former Real Madrid coach has no intention of dwelling on success.

"I have replicas of every cup I won and I don't care about the replicas. Or the medals. They're in my houses. I have some in Portugal, some here, some in my son's room. I really don't care," said Mourinho to reporters.

"What stays forever is the feeling, the emotion, the memory of the moment. I have clear in my head every one of these moments I lived.

"What motivated me are the basic things in football like, when you are a kid, you play in the street with your neighbours, three against three, four against four, and you want to win. That's the most pure feeling in football.

"The meaning is the important thing: the feeling, the emotion ... that's what stays with you forever.

"If you are in a championship, you want to win it. It doesn't depend on the level you are. To be champions in the Premier League is not a different feeling to winning the championship in League One, League Two or the Conference. The happiness, also the frustrations ... in terms of human feelings, they're exactly the same.

"But the moment itself, it only lasts for a flash. For that moment a final finishes or the game that gives you the league ends, you have like a flash of the people you love most, the people who are with you, a little bit of the most important moments that lead to that trophy.

"It's like a quick flash. And, with me, five minutes later, I move on. I have to think about next season, to prepare. We need to think about that."

 

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Rio Ferdinand's wife Rebecca passes away after cancer battle

Rebecca Ferdinand, wife of QPR defender Rio, has passed away following a short battle with cancer.

The former England centre-back issued a short statement through QPR's official website paying tribute to a "wonderful wife".

The couple have been married since 2009 and have three children.

"My soulmate slipped away last night. Rebecca, my wonderful wife, passed away peacefully after a short battle with cancer at the Royal Marsden Hospital in London," he wrote.

"She was a fantastic loving mother to our three beautiful children. She will be missed as a wife, sister, aunt, daughter and granddaughter. She will live on in our memory, as a guide and inspiration.

"Myself, my parents Janice and Julian, along with Rebecca's parents Lesley and Stephen, would like to thank our families, friends and my club colleagues who have rallied around in these desperate days, weeks and months.

"I would also like to express my gratitude for the dedication and expertise of the staff led by Professors Johnstone and Clarke at the Royal Marsden. Their valiant efforts to prolong Rebecca's all-too-short life will not be forgotten.

"Our grief, as a family, is total. We would appreciate being allowed to mourn privately."

QPR players wore black armbands as a sign or respect during their Premier League clash with Liverpool on Saturday.

 

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Bielsa: Marseille won't give up Champions League fight

Marseille coach Marcelo Bielsa has urged his side not to give up on a Champions League place.

Friday's win over Metz put Marseille two points behind third-placed Monaco - who play Toulouse on Sunday – in Ligue 1 and represented a welcome return to form after a 5-3 reversal at the hands of Lorient marked a fourth straight defeat for Bielsa's men.

Andre-Pierre Gignac's double, coupled with a rare clean sheet, gave Bielsa cause for hope as Marseille bid to reel in Monaco."As long as - mathematically - we have a chance, we'll continue to hope for a third-placed finish," he told reporters.

"I thank the players and the fans for their support. It was a complicated match. We had to fight hard and fight for every ball, but in the end I think the result was the right one because we made the collective effort to get it.

"We were surprised by Metz at the beginning of the match, but we turned in an excellent defensive performance, even though we did concede some chances.

"In the second half we could have scored even more goals. It was crucial that we got the win."

Bielsa's side take on Monaco in a pivotal Ligue 1 clash on May 10.

 

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Mr Bee agrees Milan deal

Bee Taechaubol has agreed a deal in principle to buy a significant share in AC Milan.

The Thai businessman had been in talks this week with club president Silvio Berlusconi and has now reached an agreement with the Rossoneri's parent company, Fininvest.A statement from Mr Bee on Saturday read:

"I am very much looking forward to being a part of AC Milan’s history. It is a legendary club with a huge following worldwide, including in my country. If you walk around the streets of Bangkok, you will see countless Rossonero shirts. To be a part of the club is an honour, and a dream come true.

“This is a sound investment, and I am looking forward to tremendous success on all fronts with AC Milan. Once we have concluded the deal, we will roll up our sleeves and get to work. The club is not where it should be: fighting for the Serie A title, and in the final stages of the Champions League.

"With hard work, dedicated management and wise investment I am confident we can bring back the glory and trophies that AC Milan fans expect.

“I’d like to thank everyone in Italy for the way we have been received: Mr. Berlusconi, his family, and the Fininvest team have all been very welcoming. I’d also like to thank the Italian journalists for their patience, and most of all, the AC Milan fans.

“Our financial partners are firmly behind us, and are looking forward to the conclusion of the deal. Doyen Sports has also been a great help, and having them as partners will undoubtedly be a major asset for us in the future. We look forward to providing more information in the coming days.”

It is not yet clear whether the purchase will see Taechaubol replace Berlusconi, who has been the owner of Milan since February 1986, as a majority shareholder.

 

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I changed my mind on the penalty, rues Gerrard

Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard admitted that he broke the golden rule of penalty-taking ahead of missing a potentially vital spot-kick in his side's 2-1 Premier League victory over QPR.

The former England skipper fluffed his lines from 12 yards in the 79th minute of Saturday's contest at Anfield, before duly making amends by heading home a late winner that keeps Liverpool's slim hopes of securing a Champions League place alive.

And, after Gerrard's 11th goal of the season, the 34-year-old reveled that the missed penalty was down to his own indecision.

"I changed my mind on the run-up and rule number one with penalties is that you don't change your mind," Gerrard told BBC Sport.

"Last time I changed my mind, I missed as well."

On his goal, he added: "I was happy with my header. It wasn't the best that I've scored that was my header in the [2005] Champions League Final.

"Overall, it was a good three points and we now have to stay strong until the end and keep pressure on the teams above us."

With Gerrard set to join LA Galaxy at the end of his Liverpool deal, his goal against QPR may well prove to be his last at Anfield.

But the midfielder was quick to point out that he should have one final opportunity to score on home turf when Liverpool entertain Crystal Palace on May 16th.

"We have one more game to go here at Anfield and I will do my best to get on the score sheet," he added. "If that is my last goal at Anfield then I will take it but I won't give up."

 

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Klopp: Cup heroics tired Dortmund out

Jurgen Klopp said Borussia Dortmund paid the price for their DFB-Pokal semi-final heroics after being held to a 1-1 draw by Hoffenheim on Saturday.

Mats Hummels equalised for the visitors after Kevin Volland had put the hosts ahead, as BVB's hopes of Europa League qualification took another hit.

However, Klopp refused to criticise his players for their performance following their efforts on Tuesday night, which he felt played their part in a lethargic display.

"For us the game was incredibly intense, of course, due to the 120 minutes we had to play on Tuesday," he told Ruhr Nachtrichten. "We did okay, to be honest.

"Hoffenheim played a lot of long balls, which tested us. We had to run a lot which added to the fatigue factor. We conceded the goal because we were not 100 per cent awake, though it's good play from Volland. Then we scored the equaliser.

"The game really could have tipped either way; it's one of those games that never ends up a draw, but today it has done. I can accept that, it's not a big problem.

"Ideally, in the final three games we'd like to leapfrog Hoffenheim. However, as we saw today, that's not as simple as just saying it out loud."

Dortmund finish the Bundesliga season with games against Hertha Berlin, Wolfsburg and Werder Bremen before facing Wolfsburg again in the DFB-Pokal final on May 30, in what will be Klopp's final game in charge.

 

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Manchester United 0-1 West Brom: Lacklustre hosts suffer third straight defeat

Robin van Persie missed a penalty as Manchester United fell to a 1-0 defeat to West Brom on Saturday afternoon.

A combination of Chris Brunt and Jonas Olsson struck the decisive blow shortly after the hour at Old Trafford on Saturday, with the Albion skipper's 20-yard free-kick taking a wicked deflection off his team-mate to leave David de Gea helpless.

Van Persie had the chance to level in the 72nd minute when Saido Berahino was adjudged to have handled Antonio Valencia's cross inside the box, but the Dutchman - making his first start since mid-February - saw his spot-kick saved by Boaz Myhill.

As was the case in their defeats at Chelsea and Everton over the last fortnight, Louis van Gaal's team could not make their domination of the ball count.

United were camped in West Brom's defensive third for much of the contest, but were simply unable to break Tony Pulis' stubborn visitors down and Brunt's fortunate effort condemned the hosts to a third loss in a row for the first time since 2001.

Van Gaal's side remain in the box seat to secure fourth spot and a place in the Champions League, but their poor form has left the door ajar for Liverpool, who now sit four points behind United after beating QPR.

The pattern of the game was set from the off, with United dominating the ball and West Brom defending deep, just as they did to foil Liverpool last weekend.

Van Persie tested Myhill with a scuffed shot, and the returning striker could have opened the scoring in the 19th minute when he flashed a first-time effort narrowly wide from Ashley Young's low cross.

United continued to probe but, with Van Persie understandably rusty after his lengthy lay-off and Wayne Rooney playing in a more withdrawn role, they struggled to carve out clear-cut chances against a typically well-drilled Pulis side.

The second half began in much the same vein as the first, with Rooney having United's first attempt on goal with a 25-yard pot-shot that Myhill gathered easily.

But it was West Brom - victors at Old Trafford last season - who broke the deadlock completely against the run of play, when Olsson unwittingly deflected Brunt's free-kick beyond De Gea.

United were gifted a golden opportunity to level shortly after, but Myhill made an excellent stop low to his left from Van Persie's penalty.

Myhill was in outstanding form, and was again on hand to deny Van Persie and substitute Angel di Maria in the closing stages to preserve his clean sheet, as United continue to stagger towards Champions League qualification.

 

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Manchester United next fixtures

Crystal Palace-Away
Arsenal-Home
Hull City-Away

​

 

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Bayer Leverkusen 2-0 Bayern Munich: Bavarians humbled ahead of Barcelona showdown

Newly crowned Bundesliga champions Bayern Munich showed little to worry Champions League opponents Barcelona as they lost 2-0 at Bayer Leverkusen on Saturday.

Although coach Pep Guardiola will likely make a few changes ahead of his first return to his former club for Wednesday's semi-final first leg, injury-ravaged Bayern were far from their best and looked distracted, with Hakan Calhanoglu and Julian Brandt inflicting a deserved defeat a week on from clinching the title.

Still reeling from a penalty shootout defeat to Borussia Dortmund in the DFB-Pokal semi-final on Tuesday, Guardiola's men began well before fading away and allowing Leverkusen to take charge.

Bayern held firm throughout the first half, with Javi Martinez – returning after nine months out – impressing at the back, but Calhanoglu broke the deadlock in trademark fashion early in the second period.

Taking the lead only seemed to increase the focus in the Leverkusen team, inspiring a search for more goals as they piled men forward at every opportunity.

Mario Gotze should have drawn Bayern level when one-on-one with Bernd Leno in the 76th minute, but Leverkusen ultimately wrapped things up through Brandt late on, with Barcelona - who beat Cordoba 8-0 on Saturday - next up for Guardiola's wounded team.

Due to the combination of Wednesday's trip to Camp Nou and a host of injuries, Guardiola afforded Claudio Pizarro, Mitchell Weiser and Gianluca Gaudino rare starts, while Rico Strieder made his first-team debut.

Despite fielding such a changed side, Bayern began the contest brightly and fashioned the first opportunity after seven minutes, Gotze testing Leno from distance before Pizarro failed to convert from the rebound.

The hosts quickly grew in stature and should have been ahead in the 10th minute after starting to dictate the tempo, but Stefan Kiessling saw his headed goal harshly disallowed for offside.

Although Bayern had been second best, the champions looked destined to capitalise on that let-off as Gotze raced free of the hosts' defence in the 27th minute and skipped past Leno, but Tin Jedvaj's desperate lunge prevented the German's effort from crossing the line.

Bayern seemingly came out for the second half with renewed determination, as Pizarro charged through, held off Jedvaj and forced Leno into a crucial block from the edge of the area.

But the home side regrouped and took the lead with 55 minutes on the clock, free-kick specialist Hakan curling over the wall and into the bottom-left corner from 25 yards.

Despite Leverkusen's superiority, Bayern were presented with a glorious opportunity to equalise in the 76th minute as Gotze ran through on goal, but the Germany star could not find a way past Leno.

And Leverkusen took full advantage, doubling their lead minutes later, birthday boy Brandt providing a cool finish after a brilliant solo run from Karim Bellarabi, consigning Bayern to only their third league defeat of the season.

 

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Sevilla 2-3 Real Madrid: Remarkable Ronaldo hat-trick keeps pressure on Barcelona

Cristiano Ronaldo's fifth La Liga hat-trick of the season gave Real Madrid a vital 3-2 victory over Sevilla on SAturday.

Ronaldo, whose quick-fire double midway through the first half put Carlo Ancelotti's side in command at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, capped the treble with a terrific header after being set up by substitute Gareth Bale in the 68th minute.

Carlos Bacca pulled one back from the penalty spot for Unai Emery's side – who had earlier gone agonisingly close to taking the lead through Jose Antonio Reyes – after former Sevilla man Sergio Ramos had fouled Aleix Vidal in first-half stoppage time.

Sevilla, who face a Europa League semi-final clash with Fiorentina next week, did snatch a second through substitute Iborra, but despite a late onslaught, they were unable to prevent Real from securing a seventh consecutive league triumph.

With Barcelona having increased their lead at the top of La Liga to five points with an 8-0 demolition of Cordoba earlier on Saturday, Real got off to a positive start, with Sergio Rico pulling off a phenomenal save to prevent Ronaldo firing the visitors in front.

Sevilla, undefeated at home since a 4-1 loss to Barcelona in February 2014, were not to be outdone, however, with Iker Casillas, returning in place of Keylor Navas, having to be alert to deny Vidal.

Reyes almost nudged Sevilla in front soon after when Bacca, who scored twice last time out, played in a wonderful cross that the winger was just inches away from prodding in.

Ramos – deployed in midfield after returning from suspension – was involved in a clash of heads with Grzegorz Krychowiak soon after, with the Polish midfielder retreating to the sidelines for treatment.

And Real made the man advantage pay when, in the 36th minute, Ronaldo leapt to head home his 40th league goal of the campaign from Isco's hanging cross.
The Portuguese was on hand to double the advantage one minute later, tapping home at the back post following Javier Hernandez's flick-on.

However, Ramos' rash tackle on Vidal on the stroke of half-time gave Sevilla a golden opportunity to get back in contention and Bacca duly obliged as he converted from the spot.

Ancelotti introduced Bale – returning from injury – in place of Hernandez shortly after the hour mark and the change paid immediate dividends as the Welshman crossed to the back post, where Ronaldo executed a sublime header back across goal to seal his hat-trick in splendid fashion.

Emery brought on Kevin Gameiro and Iborra with 12 minutes remaining, with the latter on hand to tuck away a second for the hosts after being set up by Vidal just two minutes after coming on to set up a frantic final 10 minutes.

 

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Williamson got sent off on purpose, fumes Carver

John Carver believes Mike Williamson may have intentionally got himself sent off in Newcastle United's woeful 3-0 loss at Leicester City on Saturday.

Williamson saw red shortly after the hour mark at the King Power Stadium, after picking up a second caution for needlessly scything down Jamie Vardy on the halfway line.

And Carver accused the centre-back of taking the easy way out with his side 3-0 down during an abysmal team performance.

"I thought he meant it. When the ball went on to that left-hand side, after already having a caution, my first reaction five yards before he made the tackle was 'don't do it'," Carver told reporters.

"Vardy's off the pitch, Willo's off the pitch, the ball's off the pitch - there's no need to do it.

"I'm not accepting that. Half-time was probably the most animated I've been in my football career because I wasn't accepting what went on in the first half.

"We're a soft touch - when the ball comes into the area we're not prepared to put our heads on it."

Newcastle's fans made their feelings towards Mike Ashley known throughout the game, and also gave their players a hostile reception at full-time - a reaction Carver fully understands, albeit with one notable exception.

"I know some of the players went over at full-time and the fans told them 'we don't want to see you' - and if I was sitting in the stands with them, I'd be exactly the same," he added.

"I have to exclude one person in particular. If I had 11 Jack Colbacks in that dressing room, working as hard as he works, they'd be heroes to the fans."

Newcastle have lost eight games in a row and are undeniably involved in a relegation dogfight, with Carver - who also described Daryl Janmaat's late sending off as "stupid" - well aware of the problems they are facing.

"The siutuation is serious. It was serious three or four weeks ago," he warned.

 

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Barcelona are brilliant, admits Ancelotti

Carlo Ancelotti has branded Barcelona a "brilliant" team as Real Madrid followed up their rivals' 8-0 thrashing over Cordoba on Saturday with a hard-fought 3-2 triumph at Sevilla.

After Luis Suarez, Lionel Messi and Neymar had starred for the Catalans as they relegated their hosts with a rampant result, the European champions needed a hat-trick from Cristiano Ronaldo to see off Unai Emery's 10 men.

"Barcelona are a brilliant team," the Italian responded when asked about Barca staying two points clear in the Spanish title race. "Their attackers are very effective. They are all so good. It's no surprise they can score so many goals."

Ancelotti also gave his thoughts on his side's victory over the fifth-placed side at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, which not only extended their unbeaten streak to nine games since their Clasico defeat at Camp Nou in March but also set them up nicely for next week's Champions League trip to Turin.

"It was not easy to win here, and we are pleased to have achieved that victory," the former AC Milan coach told reporters.

"It's a very important win. It means La Liga is still winnable and it gives us confidence for Tuesday's semi-final first leg against Juventus.

"Now is not the time to look back at games when we lost points, at the end of the season we will analyse.

"We have lost points, especially when we have been without the likes of Karim Benzema, Luka Modric, James Rodriguez and Sergio Ramos due to injury."

In addition to two Champions League semi-finals against Massimiliano Allegri's Italian champions, Real Madrid have Liga games against Valencia, Espanyol and Getafe to look forward to this month.

 

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Henry baffled by Van Gaal's use of Rooney & Van Persie

Thierry Henry has criticised Louis van Gaal's tactics after Manchester United suffered their third straight Premier League defeat, going down 1-0 at home to West Brom on Saturday.

The hosts struggled to break down a disciplined Baggies side, despite boasting nearly 80 per cent possession, with Chris Brunt's deflected free kick on 63 minutes proving decisive.

Robin van Persie returned to the starting line-up for the first time since February, but missed a second-half penalty, and saw a late chance superbly saved by Boaz Myhill, before dropping into midfield alongside Wayne Rooney late on.

Radamel Falcao and Angel Di Maria were both introduced as substitutes with Marouane Fellaini pushed furthest forwards as United sought an equaliser but Henry feels Van Gaal must take some of the blame for the club's latest loss.

"If you play and you need to score a goal at Old Trafford and you're losing against West Brom. If I'm playing for West Brom and I see Rooney in midfield, Van Persie in midfield… I'm happy," he told Sky Sports.

"You're not scared. I thought at a certain moment that he was going to change that and put Robin higher up the field and maybe Rooney too, guys that can score in some key moment. But they stayed in midfield."

United are still on course to finish in the top four as they sit four points ahead of Liverpool with three games left to play but Dwight Yorke has warned they must spend big to improve their squad this summer.

"How much does Van Gaal need to spend in the summer? A few million that's for sure," he told Sky Sports. "Can you put a price tag on how much they're going to spend to really make the team better?

"We've seen them spend £150 million (€200m), has the team improved? Slightly. I would think he definitely needs to bring in two or three players. I'm sure he knows the type of players he needs."

 

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Ronaldo is virtually indispensable for Real Madrid - Sergio Ramos

Sergio Ramos has branded Real Madrid team-mate Cristiano Ronaldo as "virtually indispensable" following the forward's hat-trick heroics in their 3-2 victory over Sevilla in Saturday's "life or death" clash at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.

The Portugal international scored a quickfire double in the first half before adding to his tally in the 68th minute, ensuring goals from Carlos Bacca and Iborra were not enough for Unai Emery's men to get anything from a vital Liga showdown for both sides.

Without Ronaldo's treble at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan, Madrid would now be five points adrift of Barcelona in the Primera Division title race with three games to go, but instead they are just two behind Luis Enrique's men, for which Sergio Ramos is grateful to the Ballon d'Or winner.

"Cristiano is a incredibly optimistic player who lives for goalscoring," the Spain international told reporters. "He gets punished by others when he doesn't.

"He is virtually indispensable and hopefully can continue his scoring streak. We knew it would be life or death against Sevilla, but we have got the three points we came for."

Sergio Ramos is traditionally a regular as a centre-back in the Blancos' defence but lately Carlo Ancelotti has decided to field him in midfield - a position the player says that he is still adapting to.

"I'm just dedicated to taking orders and try to give my best for the team," he added. "Slowly I'm finding it more comfortable in midfield.

"For me, the important thing is that I'm playing to a good standard, I don't care in what position."

Real Madrid are back in action on Tuesday when they travel to Juventus for the first leg of their Champions League semi-final, hoping to defend the title they won last season.

 

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Kehl: Guardiola right about shutting up

Sebastian Kehl has sought to defuse the public row between himself and Pep Guardiola by claiming the Bayern Munich boss has a point about him needing to shut his mouth.

The Borussia Dortmund midfielder taunted Bayern after Jurgen Klopp's men eliminated the Bavarians from the DFB-Pokal at the semi-final stage on Tuesday in a penalty shootout.

Guardiola was severely irked by Kehl's comments and demanded the Dortmund skipper keep his mouth shut and concentrate on closing the mammoth gap in the Bundesliga, which Bayern won last weekend.

Kehl has opted to extend an olive leaf of conciliation towards the former Barcelona coach, rather than sour the feud any further, by accepting after Hoffenheim had held BVB to a 1-1 draw on Saturday that they are well behind Guardiola's men.

"My original stament had nothing to do with disrespect towards Bayern," he told reporters. "And Guardiola is right: we are way behind Bayern in the Bundesliga."

Guardiola is unlikely to be dwelling too much on the row with Kehl after a second-string Bayern side were beaten by Bayer Leverkusen ahead of Wednesday's return to Camp Nou to face Barcelona in the Champions League semi-final first leg.

 

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Emotional Allegri targets treble after Serie A title triumph

Juventus boss Massimiliano Allegri was overwhelmed by "strong Scudetto emotions" after securing the Serie A title with a win over Sampdoria on Saturday but promptly set his sights on winning the treble.

The Bianconeri had arrived in Genoa only needing a point to retain their domestic crown but they claimed all three on offer thanks to Arturo Vidal's 32nd-minute goal.

It was a fourth title in a row for the Old Lady but the second of Allegri's career, after his 2010-11 triumph with Milan, and a real source of pride for the 47-year-old, whose appointment as Antonio Conte's successor last summer had provoked an angry reaction from Juve fans.

"I'm feeling such strong Scudetto emotions," the Bianconeri boss told Mediaset. "It's a great achievement for Juventus to win four championships in a row.

"We ended the match with Sampdoria well, we played a good game without preoccupying ourselves with the title.

"I didn't want to change anything when I replaced Conte, I never threw anything out and I let the championship-winning team just continue doing their stuff. Gradually, however, I embedded my own style in the team."

With the league wrapped up, Allegri quickly turned his attention to Juve's bid to win a historic treble, with the Bianconeri set to face Real Madrid in the Champions League semi-finals and Lazio in the Coppa Italia final.

The former Cagliari boss claimed that he wants to win all three trophies but admitted that European glory would be the ultimate achievement.

"The season's not over for us because we have the Champions League and the chance to win a 10th Coppa Italia," Allegri added. "The Champions League is the dream, no one expected we'd reach the semi-finals and we will play to the end.

"Real Madrid are European champions, we will have our chances but we need a bit of luck in these games."

Juve host Los Blancos in the first leg of their Champions League showdown in Turin on Tuesday.

 

[Wolverine GTR]

Everton paid price for United win in Villa loss - Martinez

Roberto Martinez believes the elation Everton felt after beating Manchester United cost them in Saturday's 3-2 defeat to Aston Villa.

Everton thumped United 3-0 at Goodison Park last weekend, but were particularly underwhelming against Tim Sherwood's resurgent side, with a Christian Benteke brace helping Villa into a 2-0 lead.

Romelu Lukaku scored from the penalty spot in the second-half, but Tom Cleverley's second-half strike proved decisive for Villa, rendering Phil Jagielka's injury-time goal a mere consolation.

And Martinez bemoaned his side's failure to match the intensity that saw them thrash Louis van Gaal's men.

"The intensity we had in our last game against Manchester United maybe made it difficult to start at the same level," he said.

"I was a little bit worried about exactly what happened, of coming here and not having the stimulation after having such a big performance and result and atmosphere at Goodison last weekend.

"Sometimes it can be difficult away from home. I thought having fresh legs and players would bring something to the side and it would help us.

"It wasn't the case and we got heavily damaged defensively. You're not going to be perfect every game."

Martinez was happy with his team's response after the break, but concedes that the first-half display left Everton with too much to do.

The Spaniard added: "First half we were second best in everything we did even in the way we kicked the ball, reacted to second balls, defended with poor intensity in our box.

"Villa were the best side in first half, we were better side in second half, but we couldn't get through the poor period without being too damaged."

 

[Wolverine GTR]

West Brom fortunate to beat Manchester United - Pulis

Tony Pulis admits that West Brom got the luck they needed to beat Manchester United at Old Trafford on Saturday.

Chris Brunt's deflected free-kick, which took a wicked deflection off Jonas Olsson, proved decisive as the Baggies ran out 1-0 winners to condemn United to their third straight Premier League defeat.

United dominated the game from the off - boasting almost 80 per cent possession - but were unable to break Pulis' men down, with Robin van Persie seeing a second-half penalty saved by the in-form Boaz Myhill.

And Pulis concedes that West Brom were fortunate to escape with a victory that all but secures their top-flight status for another season.

"To come here, you have to be resilient, you have to be well set-up," said the head coach.

"We worked very hard this week to make sure people were in the right spots to stop United from penetrating.

"You still need a bit of luck and we had that - we had the run of the ball.

"Beating United at Old Trafford is brilliant and something the players will take on board. It's a great three points [but] now we move on. We've got three very tough games left.

"The fact 50-60% of the players in the team came here and won last year certainly gave us a psychological edge."

Myhill capped an outstanding performance in the West Brom goal with his penalty save from Van Persie, and Pulis feels it would have been an injustice had the Dutchman scored.

Referee Anthony Taylor pointed to the spot after Saido Berahino blocked Antonio Valencia's cross with his arm, even though the official's assistant gave a corner.

"It wasn't a penalty, that was very disappointing. It was a yard outside the box," Pulis added.